Kevin Bronson on February 4th, 2013

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Tapioca & the Flea have a whimsical, some-would-say-downright-silly name with a whimsical, some-would-say-just-plain-fun approach to electronic music. Their early songs, being recorded with Lars Stalfors (Cold War Kids, Mars Volta, Surfer Blood), are influenced by current chillwavers and ’80s New Wavers – sometimes it’s like being sucked into a video game only to find a disco party. Singer-guitarist-keyboardist Samuel Jacob-Lopez hits all the high notes; Frank Alva’s bass keeps things dancefloor-friendly; and vocals from guitarist Ronnie Watson and drummer Matthew McClanahan give TATF’s pop confections a choral effect. The first single “Mellotron” shows that in a world teeming right now with hyped electro bands, Tapioca & the Flea can be players.

||| Stream: “Mellotron”

||| Live: Tapioca & the Flea plays tonight at the Bootleg Bar in support of Mystery Skulls’ residency, and Feb. 11 at Pehrpsace.